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Inshore Fish ID

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Flounder

  • Benthic predatory fish
  • Found on the bottom
  • Feeds mainly on small fish
  • Found near oyster beds, dock pilings, Artificial reefs

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Speckled Trout

  • Pelagic predator
  • Feeds mainly on shrimp, eels and small fish
  • Found on oyster beds, grass banks, inshore ledges

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Grey Trout

  • Pelagic predator
  • Feeds on shrimp and invertebrates
  • Found around artificial reefs and inshore ledges

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Red Drum

  • Benthic scavenger
  • Feeds on crabs, shrimp, and invertebrates
  • Found in bays, flats, and oyster beds
  • State Fish of NC
  • Size limit of 18” to 27”
  • 1 per person

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Spot

  • Benthic Scavenger
  • Feed on worms, invertebrates, and shrimp
  • Found mostly in shallow ocean water from the beach to 30’. Migrate in large schools during spring and fall

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Croaker

  • Benthic scavenger
  • Found in waterways, bays, and rivers.
  • Feeds on crustaceans and mollusc
  • In the drum family
  • Makes audible drumming noise

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Ladyfish

  • Pelagic predator
  • Feeds on shrimp and small minnows
  • Same family as Tarpon
  • Very acrobatic when caught hook and line

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Bluefish

  • Pelagic predator
  • Voraciously feeds on Everything
  • Range from1-2 lbs to 15 lbs
  • Found near inlets and ocean
  • Commonly caught alongside Spanish mackerel

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Spanish Mackerel

  • Pelagic predator
  • Looks similar to King Mackerel except fairly straight lateral line and black spot on first dorsal fin
  • Do NOT go by spots, juvenile kings still have spots
  • Feeds on small schooling minnows

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Sheepshead

  • Pelagic scavenger
  • Feeds on barnacles, fiddler crabs, sand fleas
  • Found Near docks, pilings, rock piles
  • Have human like teeth for crushing

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Black Drum

  • Benthic Scavenger
  • Feeds on crabs, shrimp and invertebrates. Grow to 100lbs
  • Found near docks pilings and piers.